Recruiting Team:  Left to Right, Back Row - Officer Rob Hefner, Officer Justin Crowell, Captain Brian Krueger, Officer Gretchen Dawes.  Left to Right, Front Row - Officer Wes Kimbler and Officer Dana Dobson.  

Qualifications 

Law enforcement is a challenging and rewarding career.  However, not everyone has the required integrity, communication skills, and commitment to serve their community.  It takes an individual who can work under adverse and stressful conditions, possesses sound decision-making skills, and can work effectively and efficiently in a team concept.  If you think you have the desired skills and abilities to begin a successful career with the Paducah Police Department, please review the following minimum qualifications.

To qualify, all applicants must:

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be at least 21 years old
• Possess a minimum of 30 hours college credit
• Possess a valid driver's license
• If served in the military, possess an honorable discharge
• Have no felony or Class A misdemeanor convictions
• Pass a physical agility test
• Pass a written test
• Submit to an extensive background investigation
• Have not used Marijuana within the past three years.
• Have not used any illegal drug (other than Marijuana) within the last ten years.
• Pass an oral interview board
• Pass a medical examination
• Pass a psychological examination
• Pass a polygraph examination
• Have no DUI convictions in last ten years
• Have no more than one Class B conviction

Note:  If you have a high school diploma or GED and do not have a minimum of 30 credit hours from a college, community college or vocational school, you will need to submit proof of one year of sworn, full-time law enforcement experience or one year of full-time military service.  Applicants who meet all qualifications except possession of 30 college credit hours, one year of full-time military service, or one year of sworn, full-time law enforcement experience may be hired at a lower pay rate than applicants who meet all qualifications. 

Click here to listen to a short Police Recruiting radio commercial with Officer Dana Dobson.

Click Police Recruiting Television Commercial for an ad created by Comcast.

Benefits

The Paducah Police Department boasts a competitive salary and benefits package in a part of the country known to have a low cost of living.  Currently, Recruit Officers earn $35,751 while in the Academy.  After one year of service, pay increases to $37,690.  In addition, the state of Kentucky provides $3,100.00 in "incentive pay" after graduation from the Academy.  Sidearms and all leather gear are furnished, and uniforms are purchased using an annual clothing allowance.  After completion of the PTO program, McCracken County residents are eligible for a take-home police vehicle. Health insurance, educational tuition assistance, credit union membership, and access to exercise equipment are just a few of the perks of being a Paducah Police Officer.

Hiring Process

To get started, you'll need to file an application for employment.  This can be obtained from the City of Paducah Human Resources Department or any Police Department Recruiting Officer.  You'll need to submit a copy of your birth certificate, driver's license, high school diploma, and, if applicable, DD214 form.  After submitting the application and once it is determined that your meet the minimum qualifications, you'll be scheduled to take a physical agility test and a written test, administered consecutively on the same day.

Those who receive a passing score on these exams will be scheduled as soon as possible for an interview.  Based upon your tests and interview results, as well as the number of vacancies in the Department, an investigation regarding your background is initiated.  Former employers, co-workers, friends, and neighbors will be asked about your character and integrity.  There will also be checks of your criminal history, traffic record, and credit report.

Applicants with prior, comparable, law enforcement experience will be given 1 year of service credit for every 2 completed years of experience.  An example would be 3 years service credit for 7 years of experience.  The total amount of service credit one may be given is 5 years.

Hopefully, after a comprehensive review of your application file, you will now be among those eligible finalists to be selected as Paducah Police Officer Recruits.  

For More Information

For more information regarding employment, contact Captain Brian Krueger at (270) 444-8548 or by e-mail, bkrueger@ci.paducah.ky.us .  For application information, contact Pat Moriarty at the City of Paducah Human Resources Department at (270)444-8540 or by email, pmoriarty@ci.paducah.ky.us.  Members of ethnic minority groups and females are strongly encouraged to apply.